Wisconsin Lawmaker Wants Probe Into High Gasoline Prices

Soaring gasoline prices across Wisconsin have prompted a lawmaker to seek an investigation into whether consumers are being victimized by oil companies.

Democratic Senator Dave Hansen of Green Bay sent his request to Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager and asked that she determine whether major oil refiners cut production to drive prices up by reducing the fuel supply.

He says that if it's true, it would violate state law. He says the recent gas price increases have been "outrageous."

According to an informal survey by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , the average price for unleaded regular gasoline was $2.70 a gallon at ten stations in the Milwaukee area.

Lautenschlager is reviewing Hansen's letter ... but Erin Roth of the Wisconsin Petroleum Council says holding down production at times of high prices wouldn't make any sense. He says that with prices so high, companies want to make as much gas as possible to take advantage.

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